# NTSB LAX06CA007: Appel RDA 04, N835RA, Clovis, NM, October 11, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 11, 2005, 08:52 local (15:52 UTC)
- Place: Clovis, NM
- Coordinates: 34.424999, -103.07917
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4250&lon=-103.0792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA007

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system.  The inadequate placement of the fuel system drain by the builder was a factor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,water - contamination,water (cause)
  - aircraft/equipment inadequate, owner/builder (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,drain - inadequate (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

The airplane impacted terrain while attempting to return to the runway following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb.  The pilot/owner reported that he had sumped the fuel system prior to the flight.  After the accident, the pilot sumped the fuel tanks and found water.  The pilot found that the placement of the fuel drain did not facilitate the removal of water from the wing tanks.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

The airplane impacted terrain while attempting to return to the runway following a loss of engine power at Clovis Municipal Airport, Clovis, New Mexico.  The pilot/owner reported that he had sumped the fuel system prior to the flight.  After the accident, the pilot sumped the fuel tanks and found water.  The pilot found that the placement of the fuel drain did not facilitate the removal of water from the wing tanks.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N835RA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N835RA), registered now, S/N 82835 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: APPEL RDA 04
- Registry model: [Appel Richard D R D A 04](https://openairdocs.org/model/appel-richard-d-r-d-a-04) (registry code 05616MS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 82835
- Airframe hours: 242
- Engines: 1/2 Volkswagen AE378410 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William G. Ashley
- Registered owner: William G. Ashley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2005
- Departed: CVN, CLOVIS, NM
- Destination: CVN, CLOVIS, NM
- Airport: CVN, Clovis Muni, runway 022, 6,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2; seat: front; flight hours: 1,688 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,688 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: CVN

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20051011023539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051011023539A), Oct 11, 2005: RDA04, Clovis, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 11, 2005 at approximately 0852 local time, the pilot of experimental amateur built aircraft N835RA, a model rda 04 (hummelbird), executed a…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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